AquaticRepublic.com - Hypancistrus contradens (Loricariidae) All Fishes

Three day old fry
Six day old fry
Eight day old fry
Ventral view
Dorsal view
Close-up of head
free swimming fry
Seven month old juvenile
Close-up of dorsal fin
Close-up of pectoral fin
Close-up of caudal fin

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Hypancistrus contradens** Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007
Common Names	Orinoco Polka-dot Pleco Colombiansk Sneboldsugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Río Ventuari, 23 kilometers northeast of Macuruco, 94 kilometers east of San Fernando de Atabapo, 4°04'50''N, 66°51'31''W, Amazonus, Venezuela
Pronunciation	hype an siss truss - kon tra dens
Etymology	A contraction of the Greek hypo (meaning less than) and ancistrus, an allusion to the reduced number of teeth (particularly in the lower jaw) found in this genus. From the Latin contra for opposite, or of difference, and dens for tooth, in reference to the differently shaped teeth in the dentary and premaxilla.
Species Information
Size	126mm or 5" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Often confused because of the picture in Aqualog and originally thought to be Hypancistrus inspector - Hypancistrus contradens lacks the black edging seen in the unpaired fins of Hypancistrus inspector. Most easily confused with L201 which is flatter, more finely spotted and is more slender and less high bodied than Hypancistrus contradens which also grows about 2cm longer.
Sexing	Mature males develop teeth like odontodes on their leading pectoral fin rays. These are more noticeable seasonally - presumably they are enlarged during the reproductive season.
General Remarks	Aqualog shows an out-of-water L270 (or possibly L129) either way it's not this fish.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Rio Orinoco in Venezuela. Orinoco, Upper Orinoco, Ventuari (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco, Upper Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro, Upper Negro (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category	Near Threatened, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2019.
pH	5.0 - 7.5
Temperature	25.0-29.0°C or 77-84.2°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Unlike the popular opinion of many other loricariids, Hypancistrus are more carnivores than algae eaters. This is backed up by a small and lightly toothed mouth that indicates they are poor algae scrapers. Provide small and frequent supply of mainly meaty foods such as dry discus food, bloodworm and even brineshrimp with the infrequent offering of flake or algae tablets. User data.
Furniture	Sand, primarily rocks and optionally driftwood. Caves made out of slate plates, bamboo or PVC pipe.
Compatibility	Suitable with most fish, as long as they are not too large or territorial about bottom-space.
Suggested Tankmates	Small tetras and other similar small fish. Also Corydoras. Care has to be taken to ensure that they get enough food, as they can be a bit shy and slow to grab food when available.
Breeding	Breeds in a cave in typical Hypancistrus manner. Cave around 2.5cm/1"-5cm/2" diameter/diagonal and around 15cm/6" deep. Male cares for the brood for approximately 14 days. The clutch is around 20-50 eggs, depending on the size and condition of the female.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Copeia 2007 (no. 1), pp 64, Figs. 1A, 2.
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 13 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up H. contradens on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up H. contradens on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
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Last Update	2023 Jul 30 23:12 (species record created: 2001 Aug 27 00:00)